MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Azkals coach Michael Weiss is hoping that Filipino football fans will come in droves to watch the team play against the Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup champions Los Angeles Galaxy on December 3 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

It will be the last match that the Azkals will play for the year, and Weiss is hoping it will be a good send-off for the PH XI.

"I hope that we will send a clear signal, and a good bye for the fans," Weiss said. "I hope they will come in masses. I hope the stadium will be sold out."

Tickets to the Azkals-LA Galaxy game cost P2000 to P15,000, but the United Football League (UFL) is giving UFL fans a 35% discount on all tickets.

Fans who still want to buy tickets to the game can give the code #6987 when buying at Ticketworld outlets. The discount is not available when buying online.

Weiss said they are expecting the LA Galaxy to be "strong opponents" even though the team will be coming from another friendly in Indonesia.

"They are tired from the long trip. I'm sure they're taking it a little bit easier but they will play with all their experience," Weiss said. "It will be an interesting game to watch."

The LA Galaxy, led by David Beckham, Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan, will play their friendly against an Indonesian team tonight. They are set to arrive in the country tomorrow.

Challenge Cup

Weiss is planning to use the game as an opportunity to evaluate the players who may participate in next year's AFC Challenge Cup.

"This game is a test on a comparatively high level. We can see the Younghusbands (Phil and James) and the defenders who are coming in new, how they will perform at this level," Weiss said.

"I expect the players to show who is ready for the Challenge Cup next year," he added.

The Azkals will be without key players, however, including goal keepers Neil Etheridge and Roland Mueller, who are still playing with their clubs in Europe.

The national team will be bannered by mainstays Phil and James Younghusband, Chieffy Caligdong and Ian Araneta.

Football fans can also watch the LA Galaxy's practice session on Friday afternoon at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, with ticket prices ranging from P1500 to P3000. -- With a report by Dyan Castillejo,

ALREADY saddled by manpower woes, the Philippine Azkals suffered another setback when Filipino-German goalkeeper Roland Mueller informed German coach Michael Weiss that he can’t play in a friendly match against the LA Galaxy this Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

"Mueller informed me by overseas call Monday night that he could not come for the friendly match because of his commitments to his club MSV Duisburg in the German Second Division," Weiss said yesterday of the 23-year-old goalie who saw action for the national team in the last 26th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia.

Weiss said he asked Mueller if he could intervene on his behalf to suit up for Saturday’s match "but Roland declined my assistance because he would not like to jeopardize his stint for the Azkals when they play in the Asian Challenge Cup in March in Nepal."

With Fil-British Neil Etheridge, the Azkals’ main goalie, also tied down to reserve duties to his Fulham side in the English Premier Division, the squad will have to make do with youthful Paolo Pascual and veteran Edward Sacapano to mind the net.

Team manager Dan Palami had no second thoughts about who would tend the goal, saying: "Sacapano, for sure."

Aside from Etheridge and Mueller, also out for the highly-anticipated friendly featuring the newly-crowned Major League Soccer champs starring David Beckham and Landon Donovan against the Azkals are Fil-foreigners Dennis Cagara, Paul Mulders, Jerry Lucena, Stefan Schrock and Manny Ott, who have commitments with their respective clubs.

It wasn’t all bad news for the Philippine camp since US-based Fil-British midfielder Chris Greatwich arrived last Monday morning and immediately rejoined his teammates in a workout at the Rizal Stadium.

"It’s amazing and great to be here playing against the likes of David Beckham," said Greatwich, 28, a four-year veteran of the national team who last saw action for the nationals in the 2010 Suzuki Cup.

Filipino football fans remember him best for scoring the 90th-minute equalizer in the Philippines’ 1-all standoff against fancied Singapore in the Suzuki Cup group qualifiers in Vietnam.

"Only two years ago, we would be playing tune-up matches against San Beda or any local club willing to play us, but now we have the LA Galaxy no less," added Greatwich. "This is a dream come true for me and the Azkals."

"He (Greatwich) is a solid player," said Weiss after witnessing him work out with the squad. "Chris will be a great help to us."

Greatwich will be reunited at midfield with Chieffy Caligdong, Jason de Jong and James Younghusband, according to Weiss.

MANILA, Philippines - Homegrown players will provide the last line of defense for the Philippine Azkals against the vaunted offensive arsenal of David Beckham and the LA Galaxy side on their “Dream Cup” match on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

Negrense Eduard Sacapaño and Cebuano Paolo Pascual will be tasked to tend the net for the host Azkals as first choice keeper Neil Etheridge of Fulham and Under-23 stalwart Roland Muller of Duisburg are tied up with club commitments in Europe.

Sacapaño previously played custodian for Phl in their 1-2 setback to Mongolia in the AFC Challenge Cup playoffs qualifiers in chilly Ulan Bator while Pascual served as backup to Muller in the last Southeast Asian Games.

Veterans Chieffy Caligdong, Phil and James Younghusband, Rob Gier, Ray Jonsson and comebacking Chris Greatwich lead the 30-man pool assembled for the Galaxy outing, linking up with U-23 mainstays and new faces being tried out for future campaigns.

Among the newbies are Matthew Uy from the US and California-born Demitrius Omphroy, who played at the U-18 level for the US and the U-21 level for Panama.

“We’re testing a few players who have not played with us before. This will be a good time for us to see how well they play in preparation for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup as well as future matches,” said team manager Dan Palami.

“We’ve been trying to get in touch with Uy since last year, he’s been recommended by Chris Greatwich. We’ve happened to scout Omphroy via the internet and he’s expressed interest to come over. We’re still trying to figure out if he could be eligible because he was part of the Panama (U-21 team); we’re doing due diligence,” he added.

The Azkals will also be missing Europe-based pros Stephan Schrock, Paul Mulders, Jerry Lucena and Dennis Cagara for the friendly with the high-profile Beckham and Galaxy.

29 November 2011

MANILA, Philippines — David Beckham may be one of the world’s most popular footballers, an icon in the soccer universe, but he is no Kobe Bryant.

When Bryant and his band of NBA superstars swooped down in the country last July, the stampede for tickets was so great that scalpers had a Christmas-like celebration.

That may not happen with Beckham and his Los Angeles Galaxy team as thousands of tickets for their one-game exhibition against the Philippine Azkals remain unsold, prompting a ticket seller to say, for those who may be intrested, that the best seats are still available.

Why the tickets are piled up at the box office could be traced to one thing: prices.

The prices are so over the top, the average Azkals fans who trooped in the thousands when the team played against Kuwait, Sri Lanka and Mongolia are simply not biting.

The MLS champions will face the Azkals on Saturday in what organizers dubbed as a “Dream Match”.

But the match could end up as a nightmare for organizers.

Even the cheapest tickets, pegged at P2,000 each, are hardly moving.

The most expensive seat is P15,500 while other seats are pegged at P12,500, P9,000, P7,000 and P5,000.

Organizers were so confident that the event will be a huge hit that tickets were sold for the open practice and football clinic slated a day before the match. Priced at P1,500-P3,000, there were few takers.

Meanwhile, 15-20 tickets will be raffled when Loyola Meralco takes on Stallions FC tonight in the UFL at the Makati pitch.

UFL has also offered a 35-percent discount on tickets if buyers give a code to a TicketWorld booth. TicketWorld, on the other hand, is offering a 10-percent discount for every 10 tickets purchased.

Beckham and company are scheduled to arrive tomorrow in the second part of their Asia-Australian tour.

Aside from Beckham, also in the team is Landon Donovan – America’s best player.

While there was much hype about the announcement of Saturday’s friendly between Major League Soccer champion Los Angeles Galaxy and the Philippine national men’s football team, the public hasn’t exactly snapped up tickets to the much-anticipated event.

The website of TicketWorld, which is charged with selling tickets for the match, indicate that there is still “good availability” of tickets, reflecting low sales.

Ticket prices for the Azkals-Galaxy friendly range from P2,060 to P15,965, which has been called “unfriendly” by local football fans.

Prior Azkals matches were usually the hottest tickets in town, with games being sold out before to the event.

Given the slow uptake of spectators to the match, the game’s organizers have allowed the sale of tickets for a 35 percent discount since last night.

Discounted tickets will only be made available at TicketWorld outlets and not online. Buyers need to mention the code “#code6987″ to avail of the discount.

Sales of the said tickets is being done through the United Football League. UFL marketing manager Coco Torre says he expects ticket sales to pick up given the high-profile event.

Selling the discounted tickets, Torre also says, is UFL’s way of helping further promote football in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, there seems to be less interest with tickets for the Galaxy’s open practice and clinic on December 2. Tickets to the event, which sell for P1,545 and P3,090, remain in “excellent” availability according to the TicketWorld website.

Manila, Philippines – Six days before the much-awaited friendly match between the MLS Champion La Galaxy and the Philippine Azkals, the Philippine Sports Commission is at a loss as to who will foot the bill for the two-day rental of the government-owned Rizal Memorial football field.

PSC chairman Richie Garcia said yesterday that it will likely charge the organizers and promoters of the goodwill game for close to P1 million since “they will not only use the football field but will take up the space of the entire Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.”

Owing to the arrival of the big-named Galaxy players and the entire organization, Garcia said security will also be tightened inside the decades-old venue. Coming over are team captain US star Landon Donovan and British glamour boy David Beckham.

“There are other events like tennis and fencing being played inside the complex right now so those will be affected when they get here to train, hold clinics and play the game,” said Garcia.

Garcia said he has met with Philippine Football Federation (PFF) officials but not Jinx Macabenta, the US-based promoter of the one-game friendly match, stressing that the PFF is not shouldering the rental but the promoter.

Garcia said he would have probably waived the rental if only the ticket prices are affordable to the public.

“But this is business,” said Garcia, stressing that the PSC had virtually waived the rental when the Azkals played there in the previous months.

Ticket prices range from a high of P15,000 to a low of P2,000. Other tickets are priced at P5,000, P9,000, P10,500 and P12,500, figures that Garcia said was too expensive.

“If they only lowered the ticket prices to the hundreds eh libre na ang rental,” he said.

Still, Garcia said the rental fee remains negotiable and he will take up this issue when the PSC Board meets this morning.

Garcia said he has no choice but to charge the promoter/organizer for the use of the facilities and the newly-refurbished pitch. (Nick Giongco)

Does Gloria Arroyo deserve to be placed under house arrest? Cast your vote.

After our much-maligned outing in the 2011 Southeast Asian Games, this became my matter-of-fact reply to the deluge of questions and criticisms--my skin has never grown so thick, so fast.

I don’t have all the answers, so from mild to scathing rebukes, I read the myriad reviews and their long comment threads. The gleeful (and mostly uninformed) bashing I let slide, but I carefully considered the sentiments of football players, enthusiasts and critics who are deeply invested in Philippine football. If I were still a fan and not the manager of the national team, I might have weighed in on their often-heated exchanges in the football forums.

But now, I’m in the trenches with the team, and I can’t indulge in my own frustrations. I need to quickly pick up the pieces, go back to the drawing board, and come up with the right formula (not to mention sufficient funds) for our Junior Azkals’ return in 2013. There’s the matter of continuing to build up our Senior Azkals, too. Save for the friendly game with LA Galaxy, I know expectations are high for our next tourneys. There are many who jump on the football bandwagon when the Azkals are winning, but more would pounce on our mistakes and kick us when we’re down.

Barely a year after its resurgence in the Philippines, we can’t let football slip into obscurity again so soon. As 2011 draws closer to full time, I can assure fans and critics that the blueprint for next year includes at least the following:

1.) Much better and lengthier preparation. Going into the SEA Games, we knew we weren’t as prepared as our regional rivals. They had the advantage of two years grassroots training at the very least, while the new PFF administration was just getting its own off the ground. We were able to organize the U23 around May, which is when I took on management of the team. Despite the tight schedule, I must emphasize that it wasn’t a rag-tag team we pooled together. We had some of the best individual players in the tournament: standouts from the U23 Suzuki cup, top university players, and experienced, foreign-based players. Naively, I thought that what our young team lacked in preparation and cohesion, they could compensate with the Pinoy’s never-say-die, guns-blazing attitude. But the attacks from the better-prepared teams quickly exposed our team’s vulnerabilities and eroded their confidence. We’ll use the time ahead to develop not just their physical skills, but their emotional and mental toughness for high-pressure competitions as well.

2.) We will continue to get outside reinforcement for the squad. Yes, we will continue having foreign-based Azkals, despite recurring complaints from those who play the race card. (Enough already! As Rob Gier puts it, “I don’t understand when people ask us how ‘Filipino’ we feel. The blood that runs through us runs through our ‘homegrown’ teammates. Just because we were born in another place or grew up in a different country doesn’t make us less Filipino. We feel Filipino every second of our lives.)

To put it briefly, their international training and experience sharpen our local talents’ skills and level of play, their presence helps promote local interest in football, they help generate sponsorships and funding, and they widen our international network and support.

Local and foreign-based

For the moment, while the PFF brews its grassroots programs, I choose to invest in both local and international players. As I wait for the UFL and other tournaments and trainings to develop more talents for our homegrown roster, there’s no reason not to get outside help that will make an impact now. There is no reason to discard one strategy for the other. In fact, to keep football alive, there is every reason to work on both the outside and inside now.

3.) But we will strive harder to build from the inside, with a better grassroots program.

Contrary to claims of a zero grassroots program, the initiatives taken by the new PFF administration are all part of shaping it. The PFF-Suzuki Cup U23 National Tournament helped us discover fresh talents from outside Metro Manila. It’s training eight-year-old standouts from all over the country for the AFC Under-17 Championship and World Championship in 2017 and 2019. It’s working with DFB (German Football Association), in evaluating the current state of our grassroots program and helping us shape a solid and sustainable program.

It can take time and effort to bear fruit though. A comment on the web noted that “A grassroots program entails infrastructure, funds and political will.”

It’s a long road ahead, and at times it can be quite frustrating. A thriving sport requires the concerted actions of various groups and stakeholders, but I can’t control how others participate or operate. I can hope for the best, but in the end, I can really only work on myself and on the team. In that sense, the onus falls on me and the Azkals. We have the opportunity, and responsibility to help grow the next generation of football players.

Children anywhere in the country should have easy access to football, to play and appreciate the beautiful game, and imagine a future in the sport.

If only for this wild dream, I am raring to go at it again come 2013. This time we’ll have more resources, more training, and an arsenal of hard-earned lessons to work with. If we don’t do any better despite all that’s at stake, oh well then, bring on the lynch mob.

P.S. Now you know what’s on my Christmas list: either a better finish in next SEAG, or a thicker hide for the next licking. Whatever you got listed, I hope you get it all.

MANILA, Philippines – More than being keyed up to play against his idol, David Beckham, the Philippine Azkals' Phil Younghusband believes the upcoming game will boost his team's exposure.

"It's good exposure for the Azkals, not only locally but internationally and it'll be a good experience for the team," explained the Fil-Brit striker on PEP’s Nov. 28 report.

He added, "I think last year we would never have been able to get this type of game in the Philippines.”

Phil unabashedly admits that he is a hardcore fan of the L.A. Galaxy superstar.

"To have David Beckham come over who...I mean, he's one of the reasons I played football. He's been my idol. I used to copy his haircut when I was younger. Used to copy the way he used to dress.

"He was one of my, my biggest idols, football idols, ever since I was seven or eight years old. To get the chance to play with him, knowing that he's coming to the end of his career, it's a dream come true for me," he blurted relentlessly in the report.

While Phil was all about the upcoming exhibition game on Dec. 3 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, three of his teammates would unfortunately miss the rare opportunity. According to a previous Manila Bulletin report, goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, as well as midfielders Stephen Schrock and Jerry Lucena won't be playing that day because of their earlier commitments with their professional clubs in Europe.

Azkals coach Michael Weiss said there’s no way the Azkals could beat Beckham’s Galaxy. Nevertheless, he rues about the wasted opportunity of fielding an incomplete Philippine team against the foreigners.

"That's very unfortunate," said Weiss. "As much as I support and want this game coming, it would have been better if I have the professional players with me so that we could show that we can play on a higher level."

Among those sure to play are Phil and James Younghusband, Chieffy Caligdong, Ian Araneta, Chris Greatwich, Rob Gier and Anton del Rosario. Team captain Aly Borromeo will not suit up because of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury he suffered in the United Football League recently.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Azkals could miss several of their key players when they compete in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup slated March 3 to 18 next year in Katmandu, Nepal.

Team manager Dan Palami said that they will try to appeal to their European clubs to allow the Fil-Foreigners to play for the Azkals.

“That will be the challenge,” said Palami. “What we will try to do is talk with the clubs to allow them to to play for two games. And from there, once we know if the clubs will allow them, then we will determine the games where they will play.”

To make up for their potential absence, Palami has ordered coach Michael Weiss to have the National players based here to be ready for the AFC tourney, so eager that the training camp starts on Dec. 8.

The Azkals are scheduled to train in the Gulf region while a friendly match on Feb. 29 is being planned, possibly here or in a nation near Nepal.

27 November 2011

Foreign subsidies, corporate sponsorships, and local fundraisers boosted Philippine Football Federation (PFF) finances by P105 million in 2011, officials of the local governing body of football reported on Saturday in the annual PFF Congress.

However, PFF treasurer Bonnie Ladrido said the PFF incurred expenses totaling about P104 million—the major chunks of which were P67 million for the country’s participation in international competitions and P19.32 million spent on local competitions.

PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said it was the first time in the federation’s history for its funds to exceed P100 million. The PFF also disclosed that it has chosen the accounting firm SGV & Co. to serve as external auditor.

Since November last year, the PFF raised P25.7 million from corporate sponsors and P21.8 million from ticket sales and merchandising items.

“We’ve only really scratched the surface of the potential corporate support,” Ladrido said. He recommended upgrades in the PFF’s corporate sponsor and merchandising programs.

He also proposed the setting up of a pension benefit plan for those who serve the national team and more enhancements in accountability measures to further assure sponsors that their contributions are spent well.

Provincial football associations were encouraged to submit proposals for funding support while it was also recommended that the chapters’ professionalization be boosted by courses on finance, marketing and sponsorships.

Support from overseas

Araneta added that more foreign support for football in the Philippines is on the way, including $500,000 for the artificial pitch to be installed at the ULTRA football field and another $500,000 for a training center in Bukidnon.

From the Asian Football Confederation will come $200,000 which will be for technical training and from the FIFA is the annual subsidy of $250,000.

Araneta also said the Jordan-funded Asian Football Development Program will be launched in January or February here in the Philippines and the country will be its first beneficiary.

PFF officials also expect the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the German Football Association and the PFF to be forged. The MOU will mostly cover technical assistance to augment grassroots football funding coming from the Japan Football Association.

Araneta also revealed that the PFF will host the AFC Council meeting next February. The PFF will also invite some European teams to come over for friendly matches with the Philippines’ national teams.

Ladrido said expenses amounting to about P4 million may be incurred to conduct the exhibition match between the 2011 Major League Soccer champions, LA Galaxy and the Azkals.

Araneta assured the representatives of the provincial football associations that audited financial statements will be presented at the special PFF Congress to be held in June next year. Main agenda of that meeting are amendments to the PFF constitution and by-laws.

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Azkals, currently with their respective clubs, will link up and get back on training next month to gear up for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup on March 3-18, 2012 in Nepal.

“We start training for the Challenge Cup on Dec. 8,” said Azkals team manager Dan Palami of the resumption of sessions set five days after Phl XI’s exhibition match with David Beckham and the Los Angeles Galaxy.

“We intend to do two training camps – one local and one in the Gulf (region) – and then use the (Fifa) international date on Feb. 29 to play against a team either at home or near Nepal, depending on when our first game will be for the Challenge Cup,” he added.

The Azkals reached the Challenge Cup’s main tournament for the first time after placing second in Group B of the qualifiers earlier this year. They will be up against Palestine, 2008 champ India, Turkmenistan, Maldives, 2006 champ Tajikistan, North Korea and host Nepal, whom the Azkals defeated in a friendly (4-0) before they went on a break last month.

Palami admitted the Azkals won’t be a complete team for the Challenge Cup as the presence of the Europe-based pros like Stephan Schrock, Paul Mulders, Jerry Cagara and Dennis Lucena depends on the good graces of their respective clubs.

“At this point in time, we don’t want to be too optimistic on being able to come up with a complete team. However, I’ve asked the coach to make sure that the core team, this means those who are based here, will be prepared so that when we infused two or three players (there won’t be much adjustment),” he said.

The Challenge Cup does not fall under the Fifa international match days, the period in which clubs tend to release players to their national teams.

Only defenders Rob Gier and Ray Jonsson, according to Palami, had committed to be with the team for the duration of the meet. As with the rest of Fil-Euros, Palami said the plan is to “borrow” them for two games and shuffle their stints in the two-week tourney.

“Right now, what we’re trying to do is talk to the clubs to allow them to at least send their players for two games and from there, once we know whom the clubs have allowed, then we determine what game they’ll play – first two games, next two games, those things. We’ll probably play two at a time, maybe Mulders and Schrock, then Jerry (Lucena) and Cagara,” he said.

26 November 2011

MANILA, Philippines—Mariano “Nonong” Araneta Saturday got a fresh mandate to lead Philippine football for the next four years during the annual PFF Congress in Mandaluyong.

Representatives of 32 football associations from all over the country voted for the former national team captain in a united front witnessed by several officials of the International Football Federation and the Asian Football Confederation.

Araneta, who served the remainder of ousted president Mari Martinez’s term starting late last year, Saturday vowed to prioritize the implementation of grassroots programs, give more exposure to the national team and organize more tournaments, especially at the youth level.

Grassroots

“We will prioritize grassroots, the national teams and of course to the women’s team because they have shown tremendous effort and improvement,” Araneta said.

“The popularity of the sport has grown tremendously over the past year. I think in general, people involved in Philippine football have done a good job,” he said.

Araneta said the PFF will be partnering with the AFC, the Japan Football Association and the German Football Federation in the implementation of the grassroots program that will be launched early next year.

AFC acting president Zhang Jilong attended the Congress and Araneta said he was assured of the smooth release of funds intended for the PFF and its development programs.

“He (Zhang) promised to facilitate the release for developing countries like the Philippines so that nobody will be controlling funds,” he said, noting that the AFC president immediately ordered the release of the remaining $130,000 for the PFF intended for the Aid 27 Program for coaches.

Transparency

Araneta said transparency remains an important thrust of his federation, which receives $250,000 from Fifa every year and $200,000 from AFC.

AFC vice-president Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan has also promised to help the PFF’s grassroots program with equipment and logistical needs and Araneta said this will allow the federation to realign some funds for other projects.

Araneta is still hoping that the DFB will finalize the grant for the country that will pave the way for a German technical expert to work on grassroots development in the country.

Another project of Araneta is the staging of regional Under-17 and Under-15 tournaments.

COACH Hans Michael Weiss will stay on as coach of the Philippine Azkals and the national under-23 team.

Football officials are not keen on letting Weiss go despite the Junior Azkals’ disappointing performance in the recent 26th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia.

Weiss, who tried to quit in June because there was little time to prepare the Junior Azkals for the biennial meet, will now be responsible keeping the team intact and prepared for the 2013 SEA Games in Myanmar.

“I tried to quit. But I gave my word to the Philippine Football Federation. I tried my best. But, it was not good enough. Nevertheless, we should leave this behind and work on the future. We, the PFF and (team manager) Mr. Dan Palami, have a good relationship,” said Weiss.

Weiss, who took full responsibility for the team’s performance, said they are now on the right track, adding that the Junior Azkals will be a good team if they remain intact for the next two years.

“It was too early the last time. The preparations were too short compared to the other teams, which have been playing their under-15, under 17 and under-20 teams for around five to six years together, with regular competition,” added Weiss.

Weiss, who was in constant communication with his former mentor, German football expert Eckhard Krautzun when the latter toured several provinces over the last two months, said bringing in players to the SEA Games just one day before competitions and expecting a gold medal was too presumptuous.

Krautzun has recommended to the PFF that Weiss should keep on handling the Philippine Azkals and the Junior Azkals simultaneously so that there will be continuity in the development program of the national team. Peter Atencio

Defending champion Global disputes the first semifinal slot against newcomer Pachanga Saturday, even as Kaya Cignal and Nomads Auction Manila meet in another quarterfinal clash in the United Football League Cup at the University of Makati Stadium.

Global, a wildcard entry in the knockout phase, hopes to ride the momentum of its emphatic 3-nil win over Army in the round of 16 when it goes up against a tough Pachanga team in the 2 p.m. match.

Kaya, which has yet to lose in four matches in the tournament, also looks to continue its razor-sharp form against a formidable Nomads side in the 4 p.m. game. Both matches will be aired live by AKTV on IBC 13.

Reigning league champion Air Force Phoenix battles Green Archers United at 4 p.m. on Sunday in another quarterfinal match. The Loyola Meralco Sparks are scheduled to play their postponed match against Sunken Garden United at Nomads at 8 p.m. on Saturday night with the winner facing Stallions FC on Nov. 30.

While Global made the win against Army look so easy, Pachanga needed a 4-2 penalty shootout triumph to oust Navy in the round of 16. Kaya advanced to the quarterfinals with a 2-0 win over Team Socceroos, while Nomads slipped past Pasargad, 1-0.

Pitch conditions remain a huge concern for Kaya coach Juan Cutillas, who expects another scrappy match against Nomads if the field becomes slippery and uneven just like in its match against Socceroos in the round of 16 last Sunday.

Kaya found difficulty executing its passing game against Socceroos but managed to survive thanks to goals by Masanari Omura and Nate Burkey. "We can beat them (Nomads) in a good pitch but if we play in a bad pitch, I think it will still be anybody's game," said Cutillas, a former national team coach, referring to his team's duel with last season's second division champions.

Nomads boasts of a solid defensive record as they have yet to concede a goal in four matches in the tournament. They managed to scrape past Pasargad, 1-0, to reach the quarterfinals.

Playing with newfound confidence and drive under coach Graeme MacKinnon, Global has made everyone forget that it struggled just to advance to the knockout stage with a superb performance against Army last Sunday.

Janrick Soriano, deployed as a striker in the absence of Misagh Bahadoran, scored two goals in the second half, after Izo El-Habbib struck in the 20th minute to power Global.

"I still think we have a lot of things to improve on, although we are playing much better now compared to the group stage," said MacKinnon. "The matches are just going to get tougher from here."

And Pachanga poses as a threat for Global, having held the defending champions to a 2-2 draw in their match in the "Group of Death" last month. "It's going to be an interesting match," said Pachanga coach Norman Fegidero, whose squad squandered a two-goal lead in their first meeting with Global also at UMak.

Pachanga, however, will miss regular starters Osseynou Diop, Camelo Tacusalme, Ronald Batisla-ong and Jalsor Soriano due to suspension after picking up their second yellow cards for the tournament in the game against Navy.

"It's a big challenge, missing four good players, but we just have to adjust and make do with what we have. I hope the other players step up," said Fegidero.

Midfielder Robert Canedo and goalkeeper Kenneth Dolloso of Pachanga will actually be playing against their former club, providing an interesting subplot to what observers bill as the marquee matchup of the quarterfinals.

Also at stake in the match is Pachanga's hopes of outright qualification to the 10-team first division in January.

25 November 2011

FORMER Philippine national team member Chad Gould, who traces his roots to Boljoon, will arrive in Manila today hoping to secure a slot in the 23-man team that will face David Beckham’s LA Galaxy in a friendly on Dec. 3 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Gould, who played for the Philippines from 2004 to 2010, was invited by Azkals team manager Dan Palami to play for the national team.

He missed his chance to play for the senior national team in the Fifa World Cup qualifiers after getting an infection from a mosquito bite.

From a 30-man squad, the team will be pruned to 23 and Gould hopes to make it.

“I hope I get in too. I would love to represent Cebu and make the Cebuanos proud,” said Gould.

The team will start training on Monday and they will have the official lineup by Wednesday.

“I always believe in my own ability. I think I will make it but we’ll soon find out.

The Azkals had and will always be my priority,” said Gould, who added he was impressed by the development of football in the country.

“It’s great that football has taken off in the Philippines. Local players will get better as the popularity grows,” said Gould.

Gould will fly back to London on Dec. 5 but promised to be back in the country next year to help promote beach football in the Visayas and Mindanao.

MANILA, Philippines—National team mainstays Chieffy Caligdong and brothers Phil and James Younghusband will link up with key members of the Under-23 team when the Azkals face the Los Angeles Galaxy in an exhibition match on Dec. 3 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.Fil-British standouts Rob Gier and Chris Greatwich are also among the notable players in the 30-man list, along with striker Angel Guirado and defenders Ray Jonsson and Anton Del Rosario, who is expected to return to the squad after missing the friendly matches against Singapore and Nepal because of a knee injury.The Galaxy, who further boosted their stock by winning the MLS Cup last week, boasts of global football stars David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane and coached by Bruce Arena, one of the most successful mentors in the United States.The Galaxy are the first high-profile team to play an exhibition game in the country since Brazilian Paulista squad Cruziero visited the Philippines in the 1970s.Captain Aly Borromeo has also been listed in the squad, although the central defender is expected to miss the game as he is still recovering from an ACL injury he sustained last month.The Azkals will also miss dynamic midfielder Stephan Schrock, goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and veterans Jerry Lucena and Dennis Cagara as they are tied up with commitments with their clubs in Europe.“We’re not with best team without Schrock, Etheridge and Lucena and that’s very unfortunate,” said Azkals coach Michael Weiss. “As much as I support and want to see this game coming, it would be better if you have the professionals so we could see them perform on a higher level.”Goalkeeper Roland Muller who was among the best performers in the Southeast Asian Games is still doubtful for the match as he awaits clearance from his club, Duisburg.“We will give the players from the Under-23 team a chance,” added Weiss in explaining his decision to also include the likes of Jerry Barbaso, Jake Morallo, Carli De Murga, Jason de Jong, Reymark Fernandez, OJ Clarino, Joshua Beloya, Gerardo Valmayor Paolo Pascual and Manny Ott in the squad.Also in the squad are Ian Araneta, Misagh Bahadoran, Roel Gener, Nestorio Margarse, Eduard Sacapano, Nate Burkey, Lexton Moy and Jason Sabio.Weiss has also included in the list newcomers Matthew Uy from the United States and California-born Demitrius Omphroy, who played at the Under-18 level for the US and the Under-21 level for Panama.

23 November 2011

In line with the Grassroots Development Program of the Philippine Football Federation(PFF) a two(2) day football festival was held at the Energy Park football pitch, Apokon, Tagum City, Davao del Norte from November 19-20, 2011. This event is a prelude also to the Maharlika Cup First International Children and Young Football Festival in May 2012 in Tagum City. It was timed to make the game of football the centerpiece sports activity to celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. The Invitational games gathered Eighty four (84) teams from Agusan del Sur(Prosperidad & Patin-ay), Compostela Valley Province(Maco, Mabini, Mawab, Nabunturan, Montevista & Pantukan), Davao del Sur(Malita), Davao Oriental (Lupon, Banaybanay & Mati) and Davao del Norte(Tagum City & IGACOS). The said event was made possible due to the concerted effort of the Davao del Norte Futbol Association, Tagum City Tourism Council, the Office of Hon. Mayor Rey T. Uy, Hon. SP De Carlo Uy, the Filipino Chinese Heritage and Cultural society, the Indonesian Consulate in Davao City, the AFC thru Match Commissioner David Dwight Peňano, the Tagum City Football Club, the Province of Davao del Norte and the PFF. Fifty(50) rubber balls delivered by the PFF were given to clubs in Davao del Norte who participated in the festival. The highlight of the Football Festival was the friendly games between the Indonesian Rajawali Football Club and the Tagum Selection.

Girls Division:

Champion: IGACOS Football Club 1st Runner Up: Lupon Football Club 2nd Runner Up: Maco Football Club

Under 7-Category -Boys:

Champion: Malita Football Club 1st Runner Up: Tagum City Parents United FC “Kids United” 2nd Runner Up: Anislagan Elementary School -Maco Football Club

Under 9-Category -Boys:

Champion: IGACOS Football Club 1st Runner Up: La Filipina Football Club - A 2nd Runner Up: Malita Football Club

Under 11-Category -Boys:

Champion: Mabini Football Club 1st Runner Up: IGACOS Football Club 2nd Runner Up: Odell ES Football Club

Under 13-Category -Boys:

Champion: Lupon Football Club - A 1st Runner Up: Archangels Football Club 2nd Runner Up: Maco Football Club - A

Under 15-Category -Boys:

Champion: Montevista Football Club 1st Runner Up: Maco Football Club - B 2nd Runner Up: Archangels Football Club

Under 17-Category - Boys:

Champion: Banaybanay Football Club 1st Runner Up: Montevista Football Club 2nd Runner Up: Pantukan Football Club

AS British icon David Beckham prepares to travel with the Los Angeles Galaxy in a tour of Indonesia, the Philippines and Australia next week, he will also be thinking about his plans after his contract with the team expires at the end of the year.

During the Galaxy’s three-nation tour, team officials will most likely begin discussions with Beckham on what lies ahead after his $125-million, five-year deal with the team ends on Dec. 31.

“We certainly are not touring Indonesia, Asia and Australia without him, and we’re not getting the kind of guarantees we’re getting without David Beckham.” said Tim Leiweke, president of Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns the LA Galaxy, in an interview.

Beckham and his family has plans of relocating permanently to the United States after his playing career with the Galaxy is over.

The English midfielder is still undecided whether he will return to the team for one more season or switch to French side Paris St. Germain, after helping the Galaxy to the Major League Soccer Cup title last Sunday.

After overcoming a torn hamstring he suffered in training, Beckham helped set up Landon Donovan for a goal in their 1-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo.

Meanwhile, the Philippines Azkals will start preparing for their friendly with LA Galaxy this Friday.

James Younghusband said the team is looking forward to its training sessions for its game with the Galaxy starting this Friday. Peter Atencio

20 November 2011

THE crowd favorites started out strong in the opening games of the under-23 and men’s open of the 14th Aboitiz Cup at Aboitiz Sportsfield yesterday.

Defending champion Crazyhorse, Queen City United FC, San Roque Football Club Arsenal and Southwestern University won their respective matches in the men’s open.

United Football League-bound QCU routed Don Bosco United Football Club, 6-0, in the first match of the men’s open.

QCU, who held a tryout last week in preparation for the second division of the United Football League, banked on a couple of goals by PH Under 19 team member Dan Villarico, while Junard Aguilar, Blui Arrioal, Marion Cubelo and Julius Acre added one goal each.

However, QCU captain Jan Michael Flores was not allowed to play because of the standing one-year ban on Hiroshi players. Flores played for Hiroshi before suiting up for Queen City.

Crazy Horse, which also had a few players and a coach in the QCU lineup that played in the UFL, blanked Erco FC, 2-0, with University of San Carlos striker Ben Rotich banging in the goals in the 25th and 85th minute.

SRFC survived San Roque Royal United, 3-2, while on its first tournament appearance, Southwestern University routed AZCO FC, 4-0, in the last game.

MANILA, Philippines—Defending champion Global FC summoned its old, ruthless form to blank Army, 3-0, Saturday night and reach the quarterfinals of the United Football League at the University of Makati pitch.Homeless World Cup veteran Janrick Soriano struck twice in the second half, after Izo El-Habbib opened the scoring for Global, which struggled in the group stage.Global, which squeezed into the knockout stage as one of the two wild cards, will take on the winner between Pachanga and Navy for a place in the semifinals.Stallion FC also booked its place in the last eight with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Diliman Victory Liner FC in the first game.Lee Joo-young and Vince Braga scored for Stallions, who will take on either top seed Loyola Meralco Sparks or Sunken Garden United.Young, one of five Koreans playing for Stallions, equalized in the 32nd minute, before the Iloilo-born Braga gave them the lead a minute into first-half injury time.Army came into the game as the No. 2 seed. But they rammed into a rejuvenated Global side handled by Australian coach Graeme MacKinnon.Global took the lead 20 minutes into the game when El-Habbib directed a long free kick from Yu Hoshide into the goal.Jeff Christiaens made his debut for Global and the Fil-Belgian winger, who starred in the Southeast Asian Games, made an instant impact with his playmaking, setting up the second goal for Soriano in the 53rd minute.Soriano grabbed his second in the 69th, chipping past Eduard Sacapano after a quick restart that caught the Army napping.Fil-Spanish striker Angel Aldeguer, still nursing a stress fracture on his ankle, played the last 21 minutes and nearly scored with a header off a corner kick.

18 November 2011

The Indonesians, who were held to a disappointing 2-2 draw by Vietnam yesterday, put up a better performance this time round scoring the early lead in the second minute through Indra Purnomo before Hairul Ohorella then doubled the score a minute later.

The Philippines then pulled two quick goals by the ninth minute off Misagh Bahadoran and Edward Mallari as Ariel Zerrudo then gave the Philippines the lead for the first time three minutes later.

Hairul’s second goal of the afternoon and then another from Jaelani Ladjanibi put the score 4-3 to Indonesia. Ariel then put the Philippines on level terms with his second striker in 21st minute.

But Indonesia were quick to regroup as they then found the back of the net through Indra (22nd minute), Afif Tamimy (28th), Jealani (35th), Sayan Karmadi (37th) and Stefanus Home (40th) put them well on the way.

In the women’s division, Myanmar bounced back from their loss to Vietnam in the opener yesterday to beat the Philippines 6-3. The score at the end of the first half was 2-1 with Myanmar having to come back from a goal down after the Philippines had taken the lead in the fifth minute off Cristine Zacarias.

The Myanmar girls were in target through Khin Marlar Tun in the sixth minute and San San Maw four minutes later. Immediately after the break, Myanmar turned on the power for Khin Marlar to complete his hat trick with goals in the 26th and 38th minute.

San San the added another goal on 27th minute as Aye Nandar Hlaing then completed the round with the sixth goal two minutes to the end.

A late rally from the Philippines off Karla Pacifidor (37th minute) and Jocelyn Guico (40th) failed to change the inevitable.

Philippines managed to score only once in the second half through Misagh in the 24th minute.

JAKARTA - Hans Michael Weiss, the German coach of the U-23 team that stumbled to a last-place group finish in the 26th Southeast Asian Games football competition, apologized for the team's dismal campaign, but also stressed the need to prepare much earlier for the next SEAG in 2013."The boys gave their best, but it was not enough," Weiss said Monday night shortly after Brunei dealt the Philippines its fourth loss in Group B. "Again, I sit here with empty hands and want to apologize for this campaign. We cannot change it at this moment."Despite landing in a relatively lighter group, the U-23 Azkals won only one of their five matches to finish at the bottom of their group with only three points. The team's lack of experience and cohesion, as well as a weak back line, were exposed in the tournament, and Weiss was the first one to admit it."We have to draw the right conclusions and prepare much, much better than we did this time, with a very clear focus on the physical," Weiss explained. "Because physically, we're not strong enough, especially against Myanmar. To speak nothing of Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore. Totally different. We're far away from that.Myanmar, which finished second in Group B behind Vietnam, gave the Philippines its worst loss, a 5-0 spanking that officially booted the junior Azkals out of contention.The pressure of performing well, Weiss surmised, could have also added to the boys' poor results. "They were overwhelmed having to carry the expectations of the country on their shoulders. I'm still behind the boys. I'm trying to do my best. I'm also very disappointed."I'm the one who will get the bad talk and the trash talk, and I am ready for that. But I don't know if (Carlo) Ancelotti or another manager could have done much, much better. I don't think so.Assessing the Philippines' situation at the junior level, Weiss did not mince any words. "I think this is the level of the Philippines right now. We tried our best. It just wasn't good enough."The last game against Brunei, which had only managed a single draw before facing the Philippines, clearly showed what Weiss meant. Despite controlling possession and having numerous scoring opportunities, the team lost 2-1, with goalkeeper Roland Muller fumbling the ball after a Brunei free kick which led to an easy score. That goal proved to be the game-winner as the Philippines failed to find the equalizer in the second half."I think this game (against Brunei) will reflect the whole misery of the tournament," Weiss said. "I think we played them well in the first half. We had chance after chance. We had 21 shots on goal. [Muller] made a crucial mistake. It's unfortunate that he dropped the ball after a very easy free kick. He should normally have saved that one."We must understand, as pitiful as it might be at this moment, we are not on this level now. I sent Jason De Jong to the back line. But why? It was clear. The other options are riskier. With our weak defense, it was a miracle they didn't score more goals. But we should have finished the game in the first half."

16 November 2011

The United Football League (UFL) revealed on Wednesday that coming elimination matches originally scheduled at the Rizal football stadium will instead be at the University of Makati football field.

“In preparation for the LA Galaxy vs. Azkals Match, Rizal Memorial has advised the UFL not to use the pitch," the UFL said in a Facebook post.

UFL teams will return to the Rizal pitch on December 5 after the friendly game between the Philippine men’s national football team—the Azkals—and the LA Galaxy of the United States’ Major League Soccer.

The December 5 games will be for the semifinals of the current UFL Cup, wherein 28 football teams and clubs are competing in seven groups. The tournament is nearing the end of its elimination stage's Round of 16, with only six games yet to be played. — ELR, GMA News

With barely two weeks before it opens, more teams are expected to join the first Vergara-Domogan Street Kids Football Club aimed to help provide decent homes for Baguio’s under privileged.

Following the success of recent tournaments in the Summer Capital, teams from as far as Tarlac, Pangasinan, and La Union are set to see action in the monthlong tournament organized by Goshen Land and Baguio United Football Club.

“More than the football tournament, we want to seek sponsorship and raise the seed money for our proposed street kids shelter that will also include an educational fund and livelihood programs,” said Goshen Land chief executive officer Alex Bangsoy.

Opening on November 27, the tournament is also in cooperation with the City Government of Baguio, together with Mayor Mauricio Domogan and Representative Bernie Vergara. It will be held during all weekends from November 27 to December 18 at the Melvin Jones and Athletic Bowl.

Two playing dates are also scheduled at the Teachers Camp Football field.

Bangsoy added Goshen Land has already committed to donate a piece of land to build the home for street kids who will be faithful to their football training and subject to the rules and regulations of the program.

“The goal of the tournament is long a shot and hopefully sustainable as we open sponsorship which starts at P2 so even privileged kids can help in this activity,” added Bangsoy.

Seven divisions are set to compete for top honors with trophies for champion, first runner-up, second runner-up and third runner-up will be up for grabs.

Individual awards (Best Goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, striker, fair play and MVP) will also be given out in the tournament.

Registration for the men’s open will be at P500, while the ladies open will have it at P300, while the different age group competitions starting from the 8 under up to 16 under for boys and girls will be at P200.

THE Cebu Queen City United has released its new lineup just four days after holding a tryout last weekend at the University of San Carlos-Talamban Campus field.

However, coach Mario Ceniza said he might have to look for two more players after two of his members who are identified with Crazy Horse, the defending champion in the Aboitiz Cup, may suit up for their mother club.

Crazy Horse team owner Hayato Ayabe, one of the assistant coaches of Ceniza, may also leave the coaching staff to concentrate on Crazy Horse’s campaign in the the Aboitiz Cup.

However, before he can join the team, Nangkil and Mitsu Tsunakiri are expected to leave the team to rejoin Crazy Horse.

“Before our first practice, we will orient the new members on the team policies and have them sign a contract,” said Ceniza. The team’s first practice is toay at 6:30 p.m. at the Paref Springdale field.

JUST two weeks after going into the Southeast Asian Games with so much promise, the Philippines Under 23 team crashed out with just one win in five matches, after that tough loss to Brunei.

And after that loss and the embarrassing exit, some are calling for coach Michael Weiss to be sacked.

Should he? No.

But I think it’s time for Dan Palami to look for another coach for the Under 23, and let Weiss worry about the senior team. Let’s have a full-time coach whose only worry is the Under 23 squad and its preparation since getting Weiss to handle the Under 23 team has not been a success.

And Dan has been challenged by the failure.

Did you know why he agreed to handle the senior team in the first place?

It was because of the Under 19 debacle, a team that got manhandled by China, Korea in the AFC Under 19 championships in 2009. A pitiful showing that had Dan thinking that if only a Philippine team would have an ideal preparation, it won’t get embarrassed.

That’s why in pre-Suzuki Cup 2010, the senior team, under Dan, had the best preparation possible, one this year’s SEA Games team didn’t have.

And Dan has been challenged, again, by the failure.

“Tough loss, sorry about that. An insight though on U23 coach, I thought the experiment would be good, it seems to be working for Vietnam and some other countries,” Dan told me minutes after that 2-1 loss to Brunei.

And because he’s a businessman who’s used to doing his thing in his own timeframe, he isn’t wasting another minute.

“But I take your suggestion, will get U21 team NOW and have a full-time coach and trainer for the team. Setting it up now even before we arrive at our hotel. Playing lots of games together is THE key to building A TEAM. I know better now.”

It’s been pointed out often in the past few days that what we have is an Under 21 team, one that is eligible for another SEAG.

This team’s preparation has been less than ideal, while the pressure on them has been enormous. It was a fact I pointed out to coach Weiss in September.

“What happens if they don’t deliver?” Coach Weiss told me. “You will all say ‘fire the coach, FIRE THE COACH?’”

I don’t think we should get rid of Coach Weiss, unless he fails badly with the senior team. But it’s time, though, for the management to rethink its Under 23 preparation.

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Sports Commission is charging P1 million for the rental of the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium for the coming friendly between the PH team Azkals and the David Beckham-starred Los Angeles Galaxy.PSC marketing chief Albert Almendralejo said last night that the amount is the standard rental fee for the use of the venue for two days, including the actual match on Dec. 3 which will be held at night.“They will need lights during the game and they will use it the whole day on the first day because of the clinic and again during the game itself,” said Almendralejo.He said there was no rental fee during the Azkals World Cup qualifiers against Sri Lanka and Kuwait and the friendly against Nepal since the government agency was in close coordination with the Philippine Football Federation, main organizer of the events.According to Almendralejo, the rental fee is a standard rate and the PSC asking for three percent of total ticket allocations an SOP.The match is reportedly selling tickets from P2,000 to P15,500.

15 November 2011

The United Football League Cup is nearing the end of its eliminations stage with just six matches left in the Round of 16 to be played on the remaining three play dates. The quarterfinals start on Nov. 26.

At the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) on Saturday, the first afternoon match is between Stallions FC and Diliman Victory Liner FC while the second fixture is Global FC versus Philippine Army Fritz & Macziol FC.

Sunday at the University of Makati, Team Socceroo FC and Kaya Cignal FC take t the pitch, followed by Green Archers United versus Lions Meltique Beef FC.

Finally on Tuesday, the UFL goes back to the RMSC for the match between Pachanga FC and Philippine Navy Red Juice FC followed by the Loyola Meralco Sparks versus Sunken Garden United FC.

UFL Cup top scorer thus far is Ian Araneta of Philippine Air Force Phoenix FC with 17 goals but only three goals behind is Phil Younghusband of Loyola Meralco Sparks FC.

NO wonder ticket prices to the LA Galaxy-Philippine Azkals friendly match on Dec. 3 at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium are so steep.

A football official involved in organizing the match who declined to be identified told Malaya Business Insight the LA Galaxy team, starring celebrated British soccer star David Beckham, is being paid a whopping $2 million (roughly P84 million) as appearance fee.

"While I am not privy to the reason why the tickets are priced as such, the $2-million appearance fee for the LA Galaxy to play in Manila alone will tell you that organizing this friendly does not come cheap," the source said.

Compared to ticket prices of past official matches played by the Azkals at the Rizal Memorial pitch such as the Asian Challenge Cup and World Cup qualifiers, the rates for this friendly can be considered astronomical, with the cheapest pegged at P2,500 and the costliest at P15,500.

The other tickets fetch for P5,000, P9,500, P10,500 and P12,500 and were released through Ticketworld last Nov. 9.

Many were naturally unhappy at the exorbitant ticket costs, while some were grateful the Beckham-led American side was coming to town.

"No! Why is it so expensive?" Ana Soriano reacted in her twitter account over the report posted at a news website.

LEBAK BULUS (15 Nov 2011) – Brunei avoided the wooden spoon tag from Group B of the men’s football event this year when they played perhaps their best game to beat the Philippines 2-1 at the Lebak Bulus Stadium this evening.

The Sultanate side who were embarrassed 8-0 by Vietnam in their previous game were a lot more determined this time round and they certainly were a lot more aggressive.

For the Philippines they seemed a little out of sorts, no doubt perhaps due to their humiliating 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Myanmar. But that did not stop them from taking the lead on nine minutes when Joshua Beloya ran in from the left before unleashing a swerving shot to beat Awangku Omar Sallehuddin.

Brunei were quick to regroup and in the 17th minute, striker Adi Said prised open the Philippines defence where despite slipping from a cross from the right, he still managed to get up in time to shoot past two defenders to beat keeper Roland Muller at the far post.

The game then fell into a lull at the centre of the park as neither teams were able to push forward far enough in numbers. That was until with three minutes left of the first half.

Off an Adi free kick right at the edge of the Philippines box, defender Reduan Petara was quick to finish the rebound to give Brunei the lead for the first time in the game.

Brunei had a golden chance in the 55th minute to finish the game off but after picking up from a defensive lapse, the shot from Awangku Mohammad Hassan went totally off target.

The closest the Philippines came to nailing the equalizer in the second half was in the 75th minute through Jeffrey Christaens but his shot was ably blocked by Awangku Omar.

And this time round, there was no way back for the Philippines as they had done earlier against Laos as Brunei stood with everything they had to protect their lead all the way to the finish.

JAKARTA—Dan Palami, the prime mover behind football’s resurgence back home, is not about to abandon the Philippine Under-23 squad despite its disastrous showing in the 26th Southeast Asian Games here.“We will keep the team and make it ready for 2013,” Palami told the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Monday, a day after the Azkals were humiliated, 0-5, by Myanmar for their third loss in these Games.“It’s a promise I am making, one that I also did in 2009 with the original Azkals.”Palami spent his own money in bringing a huge number of Fil-foreigners to play for the Philippines here, but it was a move that came a tad late with the players struggling to achieve cohesion—an integral part of a winning team.“Players, management and even the (Philippine Football) Federation should learn from this,” Palami said. “We should put resources into this and act on this.”The Azkals, going into their final match Tuesday against Brunei at 7 p.m. at the Lebak Bulus Stadium, have a 1-0-3 record, leaving the Philippines groping still for that elusive medal in the sport.Palami believes that the Philippines has some of the best individual players in the tournament, but lack of time to make them jell told heavily on the squad.“Our errors, defensive lapses really emphasized how young the team is,” he explained.“Add to that the fact that we are the youngest ‘footballing’ nation in the SEA Games.”The original Azkals are enjoying unprecedented popularity back home, with one of their upcoming gigs a match with the Los Angeles Galaxy led by the charismatic David Beckham.That’s why Palami deems it best to keep the Under-23 squad and make his original Azkals program a self-sustaining one as far as talent is concerned.

Football medal hopes spring anew and this time, from the national men's and women's futsal teams, who head off Monday to Indonesia for the 26th South East Asian Games.

Both teams' first matches will be on November 18 with the ladies going up against Myanmar and the gents pit versus Indonesia.

"They will play with their hearts for the country," Esmaeil Sedigh, head coach of the men's national futsal team, told GMA News Online during the Luzon Finals of the ongoing Winners' Cup of the Pilipinas Futsal Cup (PFCWC).

Futsal is indoor football.

The men's team is in Group A with Indonesia and Vietnam while the women's team will be in a round robin format with Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand.

Sedigh, who is also the chairman of the Philippine Futsal Committee of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), said the national futsal teams have been practicing over the last six months with the help of the PFF and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

PFF president Mariano “Nonong" Araneta said at the sidelines of the PFCWC that the team "are in shape and skillful and have been practicing a long time already."

Sedigh said the teams practiced three times a week on evenings of Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

13 November 2011

THE addition of more categories in the 14th Aboitiz Cup enticed more teams to take part in the football tournament, which will open this Nov. 19 at the Aboitiz Sportsfield in Mandaue City.

After the registration cutoff last Saturday, 96 teams will participate in the longest running local football tournament.

This year’s number of teams increased from last year’s 80 participants because of its new categories—Players 6, Men’s Under-19, Under-23 and the women’s futsal.

Organizers added the men’s Under-19 and Under-23 in preparation for the Smart Under-19 Club Championships and Suzuki Under-23 tournament next year.

There will be nine teams competing in the Under-19 division and seven teams signed up for the Under-23 category.

Don Bosco Technological College, Abellana National School (ANS) Pomeroy, University of San Carlos (USC), Mandaue Technological Institute and Blessed John Seminary were among the nine teams listed in the Under-19.

In the Under-23, Don Bosco United Football Club, University of Cebu, ANS-Pomeroy, USC and first-timer Southwestern University will be among the teams competing.

The defending champions in the men’s open, Crazy Horse will be defending its title against 12 other teams including Don Bosco Maguni FC, Don Bosco United FC, San Roque FC and Erco.

Cebu Queen City United will also be fielding two teams in the men’s open.

The squad considers this as an exposure for its booters, who will play in the United Football League Division 2.

In the women’s futsal, it will be a match between USC and the Don Bosco Women’s team, the only teams who signed up for the event.

There are seven teams in Players 6 and 15 in Players 8. There are 20 squads competing in the Players 10, 10 teams in Boys 12, nine in Boys 14 and five in Girls 17.